History Bytes: 37 People, Places, and Events that Shaped American History by Nick Vulich

Author:Nick Vulich [Vulich, Nick]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: digitalhistoryproject.com
Published: 2015-06-18T23:00:00+00:00

Disaster at Bull Run, and Organizing For War

Bull Run was the first major battle of the Civil War.

It was a total defeat for the Union. Early in the day they had the advantage, but by late afternoon the Confederates received reinforcements and Federal troops were forced to retreat. They fled the battlefield, discarding their weapons, as they made a wild dash back towards Washington.

The Confederate troops could have won the rebellion then and there, but lacked the discipline and organization necessary to press their advantage.

Several days later President Lincoln and Secretary Seward visited the battlefield. General Sherman said, “Mr. Lincoln stood up in the carriage, and made one of the neatest, best, and most feeling addresses I ever listened to, referring to our late disaster at Bull Run, the high duties that devolved on us, and the brighter days yet to come.”

One outcome of the battle was Abraham Lincoln realized he was in for a long fight. Any hopes he had for a quick victory were dashed. General George P. McClellan replaced General Irvin McDowell as commander of the army.

Lincoln described the position he was in to A. G. Riddle. “I am the President of one part of this divided country at least, but look at me! I wish I had never been born! I’ve a white elephant on my hands, one hard to manage. With a fire in my front and rear, having to contend with the jealousies of the military commanders, and not receiving that cordial cooperation and support from Congress that could reasonably be expected, with an active and formidable enemy in the field threatening the very life blood of the Government, my position is anything but a bed of roses.”

The Mason and Slidell scandal shook the nation in November of 1861. Mason and Slidell were Southern politicians who had been sent to England to seek recognition of the Confederacy. They were traveling on the British Steamer “Trent” when they were captured by the United States Steamer “San Jacinto.” Great Britain violently protested the search and seizure of her ship, and for a short while war with England appeared imminent. Secretary Seward worked out an amiable solution whereby the two prisoners were released, and the crisis blew over.

By the winter of 1862 Lincoln had a million men in the field, and not a single general willing to go into battle.

General John C. Fremont assumed command of the Western army in the summer of 1861. On August 30th, he stunned Lincoln and the entire nation by issuing a proclamation stating any citizen of Missouri who took up arms against the United States would have their property seized and their slaves declared freemen.

Fremont surrounded himself with his supporters and refused to go into battle. Lincoln sent General Curtis with orders to remove Fremont. The order included one stipulation. If Curtis discovered any evidence Fremont had fought a battle, or was about to fight one, he should not remove Fremont.

Fremont was soon replaced by General David Hunter.

Since the start of the war General George McClellan proved a thorn in Lincoln’s side.

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